UK introduces tougher entrance criteria for students

Updated on: Wednesday, December 08, 2010

In an effort to curb immigration to UK, the government proposed tougher entrance criteria and limits on work among some of the key changes as part of a shake-up of the student visa system.

Launching a public consultation on the reform of the student entry route to the UK of the Points Based system, the British Home Office also revealed that 41 per cent of students coming through this route were studying below degree level courses.

"I believe attracting talented students from abroad is vital to the UK but we must be more selective about who can come here and how long they can stay," Immigration Minister Damian Green said today.

"People imagine students to be those who come here for a few years to study at university and then go home - that is not always the case. Too many students coming to study at below degree level have been coming here to live and work,
rather than studying," he said, adding "We need to stop this abuse."

Under the new regime, the Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition has introduced an annual limit of 21,700 for those coming into the UK under the skilled and highly skilled routes - 20,700 under the skilled route and 1,000 under the new 'exceptional talent' route.

The curbs, which now comes into force, seeks to ensure that visas are issued to only those wanting to study for a degree and eliminating bogus students.

Green said proposals follow a major review of the system, "and are aimed at a more selective system and, crucially, reducing the numbers to meet our target of reducing net migration to sustainable levels."

The consultation will run for eight weeks, seeking views on a range of measures to reduce the number of students that can come into the UK.

Proposals include reducing the number of people coming to the UK to study at below degree level; introducing a tougher English language requirement; Ensuring students
wishing to extend their studies show evidence of academic progression; limiting students' entitlement to work and their ability to bring in dependants; and improving the accreditation process for education providers, alongside more rigorous inspections.

The government has committed to making changes across the immigration system to achieve its overall aim of reducing net migration, in addition to the introduction of an annual limit on workers from outside the EU.

The student route accounts for two thirds of migrants entering the UK each year which is why it is a key focus for reform.

"This Government wants high calibre students with the genuine desire to study to come to our country for temporary periods, and then return home. We want to hear views of our proposals from a wide range of people so that our reforms meet
this objective," Green said.

The new proposals could see Tier Four - students coming to the UK under the Points Based System - restricted to those studying largely degree level courses and to child students, unless the institution is a Highly Trusted Sponsor.

English language competence could become the key indicator of someone's eligibility to complete a higher level course and all Tier Four applicants will have to pass a secure English language test showing competence at intermediary level B2 (upper intermediate level English), a step up from the B1 (more focused on understanding public announcements and instructions) currently required.

The drive to ensure students return overseas after their course finishes will mean students will have to leave the UK and apply for a new visa to further their studies, and show evidence of progression to a higher course.

It will also see the closure of the post-student route under Tier One.

In addition, the government will be looking at ways to improve the inspection and accreditation of the education sector, to ensure the courses offered by private institutions of further and higher education are of the highest quality.

UK introduces tougher entrance criteria for students

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